Definitive extended field intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin chemosensitization in the treatment of IB2-IIIB cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the toxicity of delivering extended field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (EF-IMRT) and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-five patients who underwent EF-IMRT and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of stage IB2 to IIIB cervical cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical target volume included all areas of gross and potentially microscopic disease and regional lymph node regions. All patients underwent high-dose-rate brachytherapy. The acute and late toxicity were scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group late radiation morbidity scoring criteria, respectively. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 28 months (range, 5 to 62 months). Forty-two patients had a complete response, and three had a persistent disease. Of those 42 patients, 15 patients (35.7%) had recurrence. The regions of recurrence were in-field in 2 patients and out-field in 13 patients. Acute grade ≥3 gastrointestinal, genitourinary and hematologic toxicity occurred in 3, 1, and 9 patients, respectively. Three patients (6.7%) suffered from late grade 3 toxicities. Seven patients experienced ovarian transposition, 5 of those patients (71%) maintained ovarian function. Thirty-eight patients (84.4%) were alive at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy with EF-IMRT was safe. The acute and late toxicities are acceptable. EF-IMRT provides an opportunity to preserve endocrine function for patients with ovarian transposition.